Dec 3 Chocolate Chip Cookies and Milk Cake

My dad's birthday was today and his very favorite dessert is chocolate chip cookies. So, when I was put to the task to make him a birthday cake, I thought ... why not make a chocolate chip cookie cake? No, not one of those that you pick up at the mall ... I'm talking the essence of a chocolate chip cookie baked into a birthday cake. Behold, a creation of epic dessert proportions.

Preheat oven to 350º F. Prepare three 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick baking spray or coated well with shortening or butter and floured, taking care to remove all excess flour.Cream together butter and shortening until light and fluffy with an electric mixer. Slowly add sugar one cup at a time, making sure to fully incorporate each cup before adding another. Add eggs one at a time, making sure to fully incorporate each egg before adding another. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour milks and vanilla into measuring cup and whisk together with a fork. Add to butter and shortening mixture alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Gently stir all ingredients until well combined. Stop mixer and scrape down sides and bottom of bowl, making sure to have all ingredients mixed well. Fold in chocolate chips. Evenly distribute cake batter between cake pans and place pans into oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove and allow to cool slightly in cake pans for about 5 minutes, then cool completely on a wire rack.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until creamy (about 1 minute). Switch the mixer to medium speed and add the brown sugar. Beat until combined, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. On low speed, add the vanilla, flour, and salt. Beat until everything is mixed; the dough will be thick and heavy. Add the milk and beat on low for 30 seconds to fairly mix it in. Then switch to high and beat for at least 2 minutes until combined and very creamy. Gently fold in chocolate chips. Set aside at room temperature until ready to use.

Over medium heat, whisk flour and milk in a small saucepan and heat to a simmer, stirring frequently until it becomes very thick and almost pudding like. Remove from heat, whisk in vanilla and salt. Pour into a bowl to allow it to cool completely. Use a mixer to cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on medium, add the cooled flour mixture a little bit at a time. Continue to beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy and resembles whipped cream.